Zoners To Hear New Plan For Old Front Street Cafe

July 18, 1985|The Morning Call

Re-use of the former Brantley's Cafe, 602-06 N. Front St., is returning to the Allentown Zoning Hearing Board. But the new proposal is expected to draw less neighborhood criticism, if indeed any, than the use proposed several months ago.

Hogar Crea recently proposed use of the former cafe as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.

The Hogar Crea proposal drew sharp opposition from the neighborhood during a series of hearings which ultimately concluded with the board denying the request.

In the new appeal to be heard at the board's 7 p.m. hearing Monday in City Hall Council Chambers, Albert Abdouche seeks variance to convert the first floor into a grocery store, vacuum cleaner sales and coffee shop-restaurant- ice cream parlor.

The second and third floors would be converted to provide three dwelling units on each floor.

Board approval is required because the intent involves a change of a nonconforming use of the property into a multi-nonconforming use.

In another appeal, Harum Associates and Hanover-Graham Associates seek variance for construction of a Rite-Aid of Pennsylvania, Inc., drugstore on tracts at 701-05 and 709-21 Hanover Ave.

The properties once housed a used car lot and an ice cream store. Both structures on the lots would be razed to make room for the 82 by 82-foot drugstore.

Variance is required because the property would be left with insufficient second front yard and side yard areas. It is located in a highway business district.

Sherwood S. Klotz seeks variance to develop a property at 306 1/2 -08 N. 7th St. into a private parking lot to accommodate seven vehicles. While such use of the property located in a neighborhodd business district is prohibited, similar use had been granted to the Allentown Redevelopment Authority, which never followed through with the construction.

The authority's permit expired and the property subsequently was sold to Klotz who now proposes to follow through with the authority's original intent.

Michael Allen Weider seeks variance to construct a patio roof on the north side of his residence at 536-40 S. 23rd St. where there is insufficient side yard area. The property is located in a low density residential district.

Ronald L. and Mary Beth Sprankle seek variance to enclose an existing open rear porch on their residence at 649 Greenwood St. where there is insufficient rear yard area. This property also is located in a low density residential district.

Joseph T. and Terrence R. Hepp seek variance to construct a second floor addition on a vacant detached accessory building, a garage, at 547 N. 11th St. and convert the structure into a dwelling unit.

Board approval is required because the code prohibits dwellings in a rear yard. The Hepp's intent also involves expansion of a nonconforming structure on the property in the medium density residential district and the property lacks sufficient on-site parking.

In the final appeal, Christopher and Carol L. Jones seek variance to convert a vacant real estate office at 1601 Chew St. into a store for the sale of new and used books. Their intent represents a change of a nonconforming use of the property in the medium high density residential district.